After catching Engel live quite by accident a year or so ago, I was quite impressed with their energy on stage and the overall tightness of their live act. Singer Magnus Klavborn in particular proved to be an energetic and engaging frontman, so when their latest disc dropped on to my desk I was quite looking forward to giving it a spin. Once again though, it’s proven to be another example of a band whose live energy doesn’t translate quite so well on to record.
The biggest problem I think is the production. It’s just too good. Everything is so bright and shiny, and the annoying keyboard, most notably on opening track ‘Six Feet Deep’, tear this away from the polished Gothenburg style aggression of Soilwork, and closer to the disappointing manufactured boy band rock of Linkin Park. Klavborn can certainly deliver an aggressive vocal when he wants, but his melodic voice is wetter than an otter’s pocket, so nullifying any effect he’s managed to build in the harsher segments. The guitar pairing of Niclas Engelin and former The Crown and Haunted guitarist Marcus Sunnesson fare much better, putting together some meaty and hooky, if largely unchallenging riffs. There are moments to get the head nodding certainly, like on the Haunted inspired ‘For Those Who Will’, and the blistering title track which clearly surpasses everything else on here by a mile.
As a counterpoint to the few highly charged moments on here, there are also some nauseating saccharine laden radio friendly power ballads, including the lamentable ‘To The End’, for which my only advice would be to add the word ‘Skip’ to the beginning and then follow the instruction absolutely. It was so slushy, it actually made a little bit of sick rise in the back of my throat. If you happen to be a particularly soppy teen with a big floppy fringe though, you will love and most likely cry your way through the whole thing whilst thinking about that person you like who you will never end up with because they’ll never go for someone quite as wet as you. Grow up and go and listen to some Carcass for goodness sake! The final track ‘Perfect Isis’, is almost, but not quite as bad, sounding as it does like a sensitive jam session between Linkin Park and The 69 Eyes. Eurghh, there’s the sick again.
There’s the odd moment on ‘Threnody’ where I recognised the band I saw on stage last year, and those moments are worthwhile. There’s a band in there with a decent raw edge and some good songs. They are all talented enough musicians too, so there are no concerns on that front. Unfortunately though Engel are more about chasing the sure fire money spinner that the disaffected teens of the Kerrang faithful provide. I imagine that ‘Threnody’ will be a moderate success for them, but seriously, if you like your metal with a bit of guts and gristle, there’s really nothing for you here.
http://www.myspace.com/engelmusic
